Frederick Charles Burton was born in Newbury in 1841, he was the son of Charles Burton a carpenter, following his father’s profession he also became a carpenter/ joiner.

Frederick married Elizabeth Sarah Perry in St Nicholas Church Newbury on the 15th September 1863 they had eight children between 1864 and 1889 although two of their children were reported as having died in the 1911 census.

In the early years of his marriage Frederick was employed by Mr William Adey a builder of some note and was engaged in the restoration of Newbury Parish Church in 1867. He later worked for the firm of Mr Samuel Elliott at the Albert Steam Joinery Works.

In the census for 1881 Frederick and his family are shown as living in West Street Newbury with six of their children, Arthur aged 17, Brice 14, Samuel 10, Walter 7, Flory 5, and Elizabeth 2. Frederick is listed as a carpenter with Arthur a carpenter’s apprentice.

By 1911 as shown in that year’s census Frederick, Sarah his wife and two of their children Brice and Bessie were living at 100 Northbrook St Newbury which is classed as a shop with six rooms. Frederick is now employed as a school caretaker; his son appears to be running a joinery business from the premises. Interestingly Sarah, Frederick’s wife is listed as a collector of Market Tolls a position she took over from her father who for many years had carried out this duty.

In 1914 Frederick and Sarah moved to 8 Kimber’s Almshouses off Kennet Rd Newbury where they both lived until Sarah’s death in February 1917.

Frederick continued to live there until his death in January 1928 at which time he was the oldest resident, being 86 years old.

Tragically Frederick’s life ended in a very sad manner, he was in the habit of walking down to a barbers on the London Rd every other day for a shave, still being healthy and active for his age. On the morning of Wednesday 11th January Frederick was involved in an accident with a car as he was crossing the road to the barbers. Witnesses reported that the car was travelling at a slow speed and that Mr Burton had seen it coming as he was crossing. Just as the car was approaching him he appeared to pause then lurched forward and fell full length in front of the car which stopped very quickly. No part of the car passed over Frederick’s body but the near side front tyre came to rest touching his head and off side front tyre touching his leg. Frederick was taken to Newbury District Hospital with injuries to the right side of his head and only partially conscious, he died there on Sunday the 14th January, possibly from the head injury or shock sustained as a result of the accident.

Fredrick had for a long time been an Oddfellow member and at the time of his death was the oldest person of that organisation in Newbury.

The funeral took place on Wednesday 18th January 1928 the service at St Nicolas Church was conducted by the Rector (Rev L.R. Majendie). Fredrick was laid to rest with his wife in Newtown Road Cemetery, the undertaker being Mr T.R. Cullum of Northcroft.

The grave location is LS(H)14

Inscription

In Loving Memory of Sarah Elizabeth Burton died Feb 15th 1917 aged 76 years

Frederick Charles Burton died Jan 14th 1928 aged 86 years

“With Christ which is far better”

Also of Elizabeth daughter of the above who died Oct 5th 1936 aged 56

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